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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old lioness rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has received vital oral operation to extract a badly decayed fang resulting from an infection.

The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was performed on last week by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said the dentist.

He believed the dental issue was due to a injury experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria creating harmful substances within the fang.

"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.

The expert clarified that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "complete success."

She noted the staff had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," added the curator.

This vital operation marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.